A sick day for a child becomes a busy day for parents: a doctor visit, prescriptions, going to the pharmacy and making the child comfortable at home. Here is some information to help parents identify what their child is taking. However, this information is not meant to supersede physicians’ instructions. If there are any questions on a prescription, contact the prescribing physician or a pharmacist.

Medications for Baby
One of the most common ailments of babies is diaper rash. Most of the time it can be treated with over-the-counter products, but occasionally a prescription medication is needed to clear it up. The medication most often prescribed is Mycostatin®. It is also available as a generic called nystatin. Mycostatin® is an anti-fungal and is available in both a cream and an ointment. Used topically, nystatin rarely causes any side effects. It should be applied liberally over the affected area. Nystatin is also used orally for babies with thrush. The brand name of the suspension is Nilstat®. It should be shaken well before using and does not need to be refrigerated. It works best when given after a feeding because it works on contact. The longer it stays there, the better it works. It is OK for a baby to swallow the medication; it is not absorbed into the body. Because it is not absorbed, the only adverse effects are sometimes stomach upset and diarrhea.

Another condition affecting newborns and babies is gastro esophageal reflux. There are several medications in liquid form that are used to treat this. One is Reglan®, also available in generic as metoclopramide. This medication helps food move through the stomach more quickly. It is usually given before a meal and can cause drowsiness, restlessness and diarrhea. Also used for reflux are medications to help reduce the amount of acid in the stomach called H2 blockers. Zantac® (ranitidine) and Pepcid® (not available as generic in liquid form) are most often used. These can both be given with or without food and can cause constipation, diarrhea and rash.

Ailments for All Ages
Ear infections are very common in children and most kids have had at least one. One medication commonly prescribed for pain associated with middle ear infection is Auralgan®. It is an eardrop and is available in generic. This medication seldom causes adverse effects. Cortisporin Otic® (neomycin, polymixin B, and hydrocortisone) is also used for pain relief, but contains an antibiotic, too. If the eardrum is perforated, it should be used with caution because it may damage hearing. It may cause burning or itching. There are other antibiotic eardrops used for infection of the outer ear, a middle ear infection with a perforated eardrum or a middle ear infection with tubes. The most commonly used medications are Floxin® and Cipro HC®. Neither is available in generic. Cipro HC® also provides some pain relief. Both Floxin® and Cipro HC® can cause itching and, if the eardrum is perforated, changes in taste.

When one child contracts pinkeye, it can be painful and spread rapidly. Two of the most common medications used to treat pinkeye are Garamycin® and Polytrim®. They are both antibiotics and are available in generic. They can sting when first instilled and are usually used for a couple of days after the eye is clear. Eye drops should not be kept on hand at home if they have been open for more than about 30 to 60 days – they will go bad. Strong preservatives cannot be used in ophthalmic preparations.

Oral antibiotics are probably the most commonly used medication in children. When prescribing for an ear infection, strep throat or skin infection, physicians often start with the penicillins. Amoxicillin and Augmentin® are the most common. They are available as capsule/tablet, chewable or suspensions. Amoxicillin is available in generic in most strengths. The suspension does not have to be refrigerated, but tastes better cold and can be given with or without food. Amoxicillin is good for 14 days once it is mixed. It can cause stomach upset and sometimes a rash. Augmentin® contains amoxicillin, but also has another ingredient that makes the amoxicillin work better. It is not available in generic. Augmentin® suspension must be refrigerated, according to the manufacturer. If it is left at room temperature for more than four hours, it may lose some of its potency. It is only good for 10 days once it is mixed. Augmentin® should be given with food because it usually causes stomach upset and diarrhea. An allergy to penicillin usually manifests as hives. If this occurs, the medication should be stopped and the physician contacted.

Cephalosporins are sort of related to penicillins, and if one has an allergy to either a cephalosporin or a penicillin, there is a 5 to 15 percent chance that they will react to the other as well. Keflex® (cephalexin), Ceclor® (cefaclor) and Cefzil® are the most common. These are all available as capsule/tablet or suspension. The suspension form of these medications must be refrigerated and are good for 14 days after being mixed. All of them can be given with or without food. They may cause some stomach upset and diarrhea. Cephalosporins are considered to be a little more powerful than penicillins, but still cover the same types of infections. They are used in individuals with repeated infections or when a penicillin did not work.

Septra® (sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim) is a sulfa antibiotic and is used when an individual is allergic to penicillins or cephalosporins, or is used for urinary tract infections. It is available as either a tablet or suspension. The suspension does not need to be refrigerated, but should be shaken before using. Septra® can make the individual taking it more likely to sunburn, and it can cause stomach upset and diarrhea. The individual taking the medication should be encouraged to drink extra fluids while on it. Septra® can be given either with or without food.

Zithromax® is a macrolide antibiotic and is available as either a suspension or a tablet. It is used most often for ear infections and respiratory infections. It is not available in generic. It is very convenient because it is only given once daily and only for five days. The suspension should be kept at room temperature and given on an empty stomach (one hour before or two hours after eating). The tablet can be taken with or without food. It can cause stomach upset, but is not as likely to as other antibiotics.

Allergy Medications
Some children suffer from allergies; the most prescribed antihistamines are Zyrtec® and Claritin®. Neither medication is available in generic. Both medications are available in both a tablet and liquid, and both are approved for use in children over age 2. The most common adverse effects are headache and drowsiness. Both medications can be given with or without food and are dosed once daily.

Prescriptions can be confusing, especially when one is concerned about a sick child. This provides some basic information, but should not override any instructions from a physician.

Want to see more?

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• Kids Aren’t Just Small Adults: How to Administer Child’s Medications Safely
• Schedule of Childhood Vaccinations
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• Talk about it!